No, We Don’t Need to Become A Nation of Mike Pences

Think Progress: “As stories of powerful men masturbating in front of women, forcibly kissing and groping women, and forcing teenage girls’ heads into their crotch have gained national attention, it’s sparked widespread conversation about how to prevent sexual harassment and assault.”

“The solution seems obvious: The best way to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault of women and girls is for men not to sexually harass and assault women and girls.”

“But conservatives appear to be less interested in finding ways to teach men how to co-exist with women, who comprise 47 percent of the U.S. labor force, than discussing how best to avoid women altogether.”

“In particular, conservative writers are increasingly focused on the ‘Mike Pence rule,’ pointing out that Vice President Mike Pence does not eat dinner alone with women who are not his wife and does not go to events where alcohol is being served when his wife is not present.”

“Not only is [the ‘Pence Rule’] absurd, but it is also deeply harmful to the careers of women in the workplace. When men avoid women for fear of looking ‘improper’ or for fear that they can’t control themselves, they deprive women of opportunities to gain sponsors in their careers and to build better working relationships with colleagues and supervisors.”